RESUMEN
Background: Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) is an objective test for audiometric assessment of children. As deprived linguistic skill is often associated with auditory impairment in initial years of life; early diagnosis and interventions are much needed. Aim and Objective: To detect Wave V, in the lowest intensity, as it is a reliable parameter to assess BERA threshold for hearing among different age group of children. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 250 children (n = 250) with impaired speech and 120 normal children. The case population was divided into four groups according to age – Group 1 (<1 year); Group 2 (1–3 years); Group3 (3–6 years); and Group 4 (6–12 years). Wave V threshold was determined by BERA (measure brainstem auditory evoked potential). Cases were also divided into two categories depending on unilateral or bilateral involvement of ear. Mean threshold of each group was compared with corresponding control group of similar age. The test of significance used was Mann–Whitney U-test. Intragroup comparison was done by Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: In Group 1, 91.7%; Group 2, 100%; Group 3; 88.6%, and Group 4; 85% of children were suffering from bilateral hearing loss. In all the groups, mean threshold was statistically significantly increased in comparison with control group. In intragroup comparison, there was no statistically significant difference of threshold among all the groups of cases in both of the ears. Conclusions: This study identified increased wave V threshold in children with impaired speech of all four groups. Thereby, it indicates the necessity of BERA as screening method.
RESUMEN
Background: A disease outbreak of A (H1N1) PDM09 was reported in Andaman and Nicobar islands in 2009 with an attack rate of 33.5% among settler population and 26.3% among the aboriginal Nicobarese tribe. During the ongoing outbreak of A (H1N1) PDM09 disease in different parts of the world, a subject working in Dubai city of Saudi Arabia, came to Port Blair, following which the pandemic triggered for the fi rst time in these Islands. Materials and Methods: During the period August 2009 to January 2011, 30 confi rmed cases of Infl uenza A (H1N1) PDM09 virus infection was detected. To understand the genetic relationship, the NA gene sequences of the viruses were phylogenetically analysed together along with the virus sequence isolated from other parts of the world. Result: Formation of multiple clusters were observed, with the sequences of Andaman Islands, mainland India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and few other counties clustering together. The sequence analysis data revealed that there was no specifi c mutation conferring resistance to oseltamivir among the Andaman A (H1N1) PDM09 virus isolates. The result of phylogenetic analysis have also revealed that the A (H1N1) PDM09 virus might have spread in these remote Islands of India via the subject from Saudi Arabia/Dubai. Conclusion: A (H1N1) PDM09 Infl uenza outbreak have highlighted the need to strengthen the region-specifi c pandemic preparedness plans and surveillance strategies.